Insert bag stiffeners



Aug. 13, 1957 A. s. ROPER INSERT BAG STIFFENERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 13, 1953 IN V EN TOR. AMI/NDJROPER ,4v-Tonnen? Aug. 13, 1957 A. s. RoPER INSERT BAG STIFFENERS 4 Shee'qsfSheet 2 ,Filed March SL15.v 1953 INVENTOR. AMI/N062 ROPE@ BY@ y MM' ATTORNEY@ Aug. 13, 1957 A. s. RoPx-:R

INSERT BAG STIFFENERS 4 sheets-sheet :s

Filed Mairch 15. 1953 mmvron y Mu/voJRo/DER BY MMWWW;

Arron/VE rs f AUS. 13, 1957 A. s. ROPER 2,802,617

INSERT BAG STIFFENERS Filed March 13. 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Y i IN VENTOR.

Mu/vo J. ROPER REW/WWW@ 'ATToRNEx/s United States Patent O 8 Claims. (Cl. 229-55) assignor to Bemis Bros. a corporation of The present invention relates to Vimprovements in the construction of containers made of paper, light cardboard, cloth and other exible materials that are used for the packaging and display of bulk material, such as flour, cereal, sugar, soap powders and other like commodities, and more particularly to improvements in stiifening inserts for 'said containers.

1 The present invention relates to improvements in foldable merchandise containers, which are made and shipped ina flat condition and are then filled and closed at the plant, factory ormill producing the commodity to be sold. The conatiners, more usually called bags, are of rec# tangular parallelepipedon shape and have a pair of major walls (front and back), a pair of minor walls (sides), a bottom-anda top closure. Such containers or bags are economical to make and use since they can be shipped and stored in a small space. They may be constructed in` accordance with the nat-fold or in-tucked principle.v

The bags are shipped in collapsed (iiat or intucked) form from the bag manufacturer to the commodity producer or packager, and he stores these bags in collapsed form until they are needed. At that time the commodity producer or packager will set up (open) the containers, lill them with merchandise, close them and ship them on for ultimate sale to the consumer.

` Bags of this type are used for bulk granular solids, such as sugar, salt, rice, barley, breakfast foods, etc. These commodities, by their nature, flow in a manner much like a liquid. When a bag of this commonly accepted type is filled, the `bulk granular solid exerts an internal pressure which causes the containers to become somewhat rounded at the corners andedges. This is undesirable because it uses more space for transporting inV boxes and more especially because of the poor display features of such containers when placed on the mer-` chants shelf for ultimate display and sale to the consumer. T hus, asomewhat rounded-olf bag does not present neat, wide-,'at front and back Asurfaces, for the display of trademarks, manufacturers lname, etc.

A`It is desirable for economy to use containers which fold at before filling, butfor merchandising purposes the container should retain substantially the form of a rectangu lar parallelepipedon afterfilling, so as to present at or nearly hat walls yas well as neat edges and corners. However, "this objective has not been possible to attain in practice. Y

Inlthe design of bags of this type, the greater the difference in th'e'areas of the various faces (front, back, sides, top and bottom), the greater will be the tendency of the bag body to bulge`outwardly on the area of the faces, andlconsequentl'y assume a more or less rounded shape or form. In other words, a bag having a theoretical bag shape wherein lthe width of the front and back, as compared with the width of the sides, differ greatly, will haveA a greater tendency to bulge and assume a rounded appearance.

had to'keep the dimensions of the bag such that .the width Therefore, the foldable bag designer has.

exible walled bag structure l modity.

Patented Aug. 13, 1957 ICC of the front and back panels does not greatly exceed the Width of the sides, especially for freely flowing materials, such as coiee, rice and beans. Accordingly, there has ben practical limits beyond which the bag designer could not usually go, and as a result the ratio of'widths (i. e. front and back to sides) has generally been held below Z to l and even then the aforesaid bulging and rounding has to some extent had to be tolerated as a problem heretofore incapable of economic solution. 4 i

From the merchandising standpoint in competitive markets it is desirable to have as much space as possible on the front and back panels of the bag so as to allow prominent display of trademarks, etc., but provision of much space on these faces of the bag has been madefimpossible in packaged goods except by the use of rigid boxes made of strong paperboard having inherent stiftnesses sufficient to withstand the aforesaid distorting pressure of the commodity within the package. However, use of such rigid packages is limited, since when empty they cannot be shipped economically after being set up because of the large space they occupy, and hence are usually fabricated by large and expensive machinery at the place where they are to be filled with the com- In addition, the cost of rigid cardboard'of quality suicient to make the exterior of a bag generally exceeds the cost of paper. Smaller mills cannot afford machinery to make boxes at the place of filling.

In addition to the problems of bulging as aforesaid, there is the problem of leakage and spillage when a ilexible walled container becomes damaged. Since these bags arel necessarily made of materail which is by its nature, pliable or iiexible, the body of the bag is subject to rupture and incase of a rupture, all orv a portion of the contents of the container may be spilled and lost.

It is an object of the present `invention to provide an improved exible walled container which is economical to make` and ship, capable of being folded fiat `when empty, constructed so as .to resist bulging and rounding, and more nearly resembles a box in appearance when it is illed and closed. l

4Itis a further object of the invention to provide an improved exible walled container capable of being folded at for storage and yet capable of being Vset up into a relatively at rectangular package presenting at walls with neatv edges and corners.

'v It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved bag structure having reinforcement capable of maintaining selected walls of the lilled bag in flat neat condition. Y

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved bag structure capable of being set up and filled to provide a package of substantially rectangulariparallelepipedon configuration wherein the front and back are relatively much greaterin width as compared to the sides than has heretofore It is a further object of the invention to provide a wherein reinforcements are provided throughout substantially the entire extent of the walls of the bag when filled.

It is a further object of this invention to provide foldable ilexible walled bags having a stifening insert de signed Ato reinforce Other and further objects of the invention are those inherent and apparent in the apparatus herein illus-v trated, described and claimed.`

The invention is illustrated with referencek to the drawings in which corresponding numerals refer tothe same parts and in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a stiffeninginsert blank,V

been possible in such bag structures.

showing in dotted lines, the scored lines upon which the blank will subsequently be folded;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the insert blank as shown in Figure 1, wherein the outer bottom tabs have been folded inwardly along score lines;

Figure 3 is aplan View of the blank as shown in .Figures 1 and .2, but wherein the bottomface portion has been folded inwardly;

.Figure 4 is a side elevational shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the insert blank after being folded inwardly about the bottom portion;

Figure 6 is a side velevation ofthe stifening insert blank as folded in Figure 5 taken in the directionv of arrows 6 6;

`Figure 7 is a sectional view through a `paper bag showing the .stitfening insert blank partially inserted therein;

Figure8 is a perspective view, patrially broken away, showing the stitfening insert V.fully inserted within the exible container;

Figure 9 is a horizontaksectional view taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 8-8 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a plan View of a slightly modied form of stitfener insert, blanked,fand showing in dotted lines the scores upon which the blank will be folded;

View of the folded mank,

Figure l1 is a plan view, partially broken away, of

the stilfener insert of Figure 10, wherein it has been folded along a median line; Y

Figure 12 is a plan View of the stilfening element folded as in Figure l1 and having some of the edge portions of the blank taped together;

Figure 13 is a side elevational View of the stiffening element shown in Figure l2 showing the bottom of the blank in a partially folded condition;

Figure 14 is a side elevational view similar to Figure 13 but wherein the bottom portion of the stilener has been folded further; Y Y Figure 15 is a plan view of the blank having its bottom portion folded as in Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary plan view similar to Figure 15 wherein portions of the bottom tab vhave been folded inwardly; Y

Figure 17V is a plan View -of the blank of Figures 10-15 having its bottom portion folded in the final desired manner;

Figure 18 is a sectional view taken along theVlines and in the direction of the arrows 18*18 of 'Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of the stilening insert shown partially inserted into the flexible walled container; Y y

Figure 20 is a perspective View partially broken away of a eXible walled container having stiliening insert therein;

Figure 2l is a horizontal sectional view of the container and insert therein taken along the lines and in the direction ofthe arrows 21-21 of Figure 20;

Figure 22 is a perspective view of an additional modification of the present invention;

Figure 23 is a fragmentary plan view of an additional modification of the present invention showing a portion of the bottom section of the blank;

Figure 24 is a fragmentary plan View of the modification shown in Figure 23, wherein a line of adhesive tape has been attached along an edge thereof; and

Figure 25 is a perspective View of the modification as shown in Figure 23 when inserted within aflexiblecontainer.

In Figures 1-9 there is illustrated the preferred modiication of the present invention, Figures 8 and 9 illustrating the device as Amounted within a exible walled container.

According to this illustrative embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 shows a having the major portions 11, 12, 13, 12A and 11A. The

blank generally designated 10 brackets 11 and 11A include the top portions of .the insert, 12 and 12A include the body portions and 13 includes the bottom portion of the insert.

The bottom portion 13 is comprised of a bottom face portion 15 and gusset portions 16, 17, 18 and 19. The body portion 12 includes a face portion 21 lying between the score lines 38 and 39, straddled by a pair of side wall portions 22 and 23. The top portion 11 includes a pair of identical folding tabular portions 2S and 26 which straddle a tongue portion 27. Below the bottom portion 13 is another body portion 12A and -a top portion 11A. These body and top portions are in every way identical to the corresponding portions heretofore explained.

Attention is now directed to Figure 2 where the first step in forming the insert 1) is illustrated. The tabs 16, 17, 18 and 19 are folded upwardly and inwardly along the score lines 16A,`.17A, .18A "and 19A.=until the tabular portions are in lflush contact with 'the face portion 15 of the bottom. `Next the bottom .is 'folded along a median scored line 29, the body portions .12 and 12A are brought close together, as shown in .Figure 3, folding along the score lines 30 and 31.

Figure 4 is a side view of the blank 10 'folded as in Figure 3. The body portions '12' and V12A are then folded so that they will be in superimposed relationship and have the already folded Vbottom portion 13 therebetween. Figures 51 and 6 illustrate the blank where it has been folded thus, thereby forming the insert ofthe instant device.

The insert is now ready to be inserted in a flexible bag, and a bag of the flat-fold variety is used for this purpose. In Figure 7, the insert, as heretofore described and prepared, is shown as it is being inserted within a bag 34, and Figure 8 illustrates the insert 10 after insertion in the bag and after the bag has been set up.

It will be understood that the inner dimensions of the bag will be substantially commensurate with the outer dimensions of the corresponding dimensions of the insert panel.

In setting up the bag, and 23A of the insert and the bottom gusset portions 35 and 36 are folded inwardly at right angles along the score lines 38 and 39. These gusset portions t 'into the opening formed by the notches which are cut diagonally into the side faces toward the bottom portion 13 when the bag is opened Aand "set, up. (These notches 40, 41, 42 and 43 also serve to provide an opening into which the the bag and insert are folded in a dat condition.) Thus, there is formed substantially a rectangular parallelepipedonopen at the top, as shown in Figure 8.

The front face portion 21 -of the blank4 therefore is bounded by the score lines 37, 38, 30 and 39, and the di-v mensions of this face substantially correspond to the dimensions of the front or back major wallsjof the llexible walled container. Y from the combination ofthe end portions 22 Vand 22A, as well as the combination of the end portions 23 and 23A. The bottom wall of the insert when formed from the blank 10 is bounded by the scored lines V30,38, 31, 39. The top wall of the insert is formed by the combination of the tabs 25, 25A, 26, and 26A, and the tongues 27 and 27A, all of which lie outwardly from the score lines 37 and 37A. l

The bag and insert as shown filling. The bag is filled with bulk material to the line 37B, and in order to close it, the tabs 25,26, 25A and 26A are folded downwardly and inwardly at'right angles along the score lines 37 and 37A. The tongues `27 and 27A are then folded inwardly and downwardly `along the score lines 37 and 37A','one over the otherthus formthe end portions 22, 23, 22A

40, 41, 42 and 43,`

bottom may be infolded'when` Likewise, the end walls are; formedin Figure' are ready for afsoaeir inwardly and sealed in order to form the outer top closure. The iilled container unit is then complete and ready for use in commerce. j y

` Attention `is now directed to Figures -20 wherein a slight modification of the present invention is illustrated. In appearance this modificati-on is substantially similar to the device previously disclosed with the exception of the notches '40,. 41, 42 and 43 which are cut into the side portions of the previously described device. Fig# ure 10 shows a blank 45--having top portions 46 and 46A, body portion 47 and 47A and a bottom portion 4S.

The top portions 46 and 46A comprise central tongue port-ions 50 4and 50A, respectively, each of which are stradd-led by `a pairfof tubular portions 51, 52 and 51A and 52A, respectively.. The body portion 47 and 47A are each comprised of a face porti-on 54 and 54A, respectively, as well as side wall portions l55, 56, and 55A and 56A. The `bot-tom portion 48 comprises a face portion 58 and gussets 59, 60, 6,1 and 62.

Extending from the edge surface of the bottom portion 48 and rfrom the adjacent yedge surface `of the body portions 47 andl 47A .are the lateral projections `64--64. These are present in orderth-at the insert when formed from the blank will more closely conform with theform of the container.

Attention is now directed to Figure 1l where theiirst step in forming ,an insert from the blank 45 is illustrated. The `blank is folded along the scored line 65, which is the median line of the blank 45 and thetwo similar-portions ofthe blank are then in superimposed position.

TheY next` step in the assembly includes securing togetherof a portion of the superimposed edge "surfaces of the blank, -as shown in Figure 12. An adhesive backed tape 66 is applied t-o the other lateral edge surfaces of the `superimposed body and top portions of the blank 45.

`Figure '13 illustrates the folding and forming of the bottom of the insert. From the flat position, the lower median portion of the blank is raised `and pushed inwardly, thus causing relatively sharp bends on the score lines 69 and 70, and a less sharp bend at 71. This bending movement is continued until the blank assumes the position as illustrated in Figures 14 and 15. Next, the gusset sections 59-59A, 60-60A, 61-61A and 62- 62A are folded inwardly and over, for example, as is clearly illustrated in Figure 16. The bottom is then tucked inwardly along the median line 65 between the lscored lines 69 and 70, as is shown in Figures 17 and 18.

The insert -is then ready to be placed within the lbag 71. The bag 71 -is of the flat-fold ytype and when set up appears as Ishown in Figure 20. The setting up as well as filling and closing of this -bag is accomplished in the same manner as that previously ldisclosed Y in connection with the prior insert.

As previously disclosed, the blank 10 was assembled and formed into an insert without the aid of an adhesive backed tape. However, as disclosed in the assembly of the blank 45, an adhesive backed tape was used to assist the assembly thereof. As a modification of the assembly of the same type as `blank 10, adhesive backed tape may -be used in conjunction therewith. An insert `formed and assembled from a blank identical to blank 10 is shown in Figure 22.

Attention is now directed to Figures 23-25 for a discussion of an additional modification lof the present invention.

A portion of a blank 75 is illustrated in Figure 23. This partial view is taken chiefly from the bottom portion ysection of the blank 75. The chief differences in this blank and the previously d-iscussed blank Alies in the design yof the bottom portion 76. It may also be noted here that the blank 75, as shown herein, does not have -a top portion attached thereto, but it is to be understood that the top may be included, if desired, as in the previously discussed blanks.

The blank 75 comprises face portions 78 and 78A 6 having end wall. segments 79, 80, 79A and 80A. These end `wall segments function the same way as do those of the previously discussed blanks. The bottom portion 76 has a face portion 81 and semi-elliptical shaped tabs `82.82. v

In assembly of the blank 75 'the device is folded :along the median line 84 on .the bottom 76, so that the two corresponding porti-ons are in superimposed position. A pair of strips of adhesive backed tape 85---85 is then applied to portions of the iouter edge surface of the end wall'segments as shown in Figure 24. The semi-ellip tical tabs 82-82 are then folded inwardly along the score line 86, after which the bottom face portion 81 is folded inwardly from the position shown in Figure 24, the iinal step being folding the gusset portions 87-87 inwardly of the position shown in Figure 2-4.

The insert is then ready to be placed within a bag, and this again is accomplished in the manner disclosed heretofore with respect -to the other blanks. Of course, the dimensions ofthe faces of the insert :are selected so that they substantially corerspond to those of the bag into which it is inserted. t

It may be noted that the f-ace portion 78 extends outwardly at its upper end beyond the end wall as formed by the segments 88. The reason for this Idesign lies in the fact that stresses put on the outer bag body at the point where the end wall of the insert terminates will be lessened. The rounded corners as yat 89 .are likewise designed to distribute stress over -a greater proportion ofthe outer bag body than would be :accomplished by having a sharp corner.

Various modifications of the present invention have been illustrated both with and without a top :closure por,-v tion. It Will be understood, however, that itis possible to utilize the top closure portion with any or all of the disclosed inserts, and it is also possible to use the same without the use of a top closure portion.

As many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the specific embodiments disclosed herein.

What I claim is:

1. A tubular bag of flexible material adapted to be folded to a flat condition, `said bag having a pair of major walls, a pair of minor walls, a bottom, and top closure portions adapted to be folded over each other to form a top when said bag is filled and closed, said bag body, when closed, forming a theoretical container shape substantially in the form of a rectangular parallelepipedon, a reinforcing insert of relatively stiff material within said bag, `said insert having a pair of major walls, a pair of minor walls, and a bottom wall portion, said faces registering, respectively, With and being substantially geometrically commensurate with the inner surface of the corresponding walls of the bag when said insert is within 4said bag body, a pair of gusset portions extending from opposite edges of said bottom wall, said minor walls being notched adjacent the bottom thereof to receive said gusset portions when said bag and insert are opened, and to receive said bottom in an infolded manner when folded in a at condition.

2. The structure of claim l further characterized in that each of said minor walls comprises two portions joinedalong a vertical median line.

3. The structure -of claim l further characterized in that said gusset portions each comprise triangular tabular portions of double ply. p

4. A tubular bag of flexible material adapted to be folded to a ilat condition, said bag having a pair of major walls, a pair of minor walls, a bottom, and top closure portions adapted to be folded over each other to form a top when said bag is filled and closed, said bag body, when closed, forming a theoretical container shape substantially inthe form of a rectangular parallelepipedon,

a'renforcing insert of relatively stiff material within said bag, said ,insert having a pair of major walls, a pair of minor walls,'a`nd a bottom wall portion, said faces registering, respectively, with and being substantially geometrically commensurate with the inner surface of the corresponding walls of the bag when said insert is within said bag body, said bottom having lextending therefrom a semi-elliptical portion adapted to be folded normal to the bottom when the bag is set up, and parallel thereto when folded flat, diagonally foldable gussets at the bottom of said minor walls, said gussets adapted to be foldable inwardly of and normal to ythe plane of said minor wall portion when the bag is folded flat and parallel thereto when said bag is set up.

5. The subcombination of a bag reinforcing insert of relatively stii material, said insert having a pair of major walls, a pair of minor walls, and a bottom wall, said bottom having extending therefrom a semi-elliptical portion adapted to be folded normal to the bottom when the bag is set up, and parallel thereto when folded dat, diagonally foldable gussets at the bottom of said'minor walls, said gussets adapted to be foldable inwardly of the bag is folded is set up.

6. The structure 0f claim 5 further characterized in tha-t each of said minor walls comprises two portions joined along a vertical median line.

when closed, ,forming a theoe hcalcontainer shape subf stantially inthe form of a Yrectangularriparallelepipedon, a reinforcingrinsert of relatively stift material within said bag,saidlinserthaving a pair ofmajor walls, ya Vpair of 'minor walls',` and a bottom wall portion,j said faces registering',V` respectively,v with and being substantially geometrically commensurate with the inner surface lof the corresponding walls of the 'bag when said insert isV within said bag body, a pair of gusset portions extending .from opposite edges of said bottom wall, Y a triangular member joined at its base to .said bottom wall, said minor walls each having a fold line corresponding tothe sides -of a respective triangular member and a f pair offen-extensive triangular pieces joining said'fold joined along la vertical line to each of said sides of said member.

8. 'The structure of claim 7 further'characterized in Vthat each of said minor walls comprises two portions median line.

respective triangular References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 286,896 Blowers Oct. 16, 1883 681,472 Birnie Aug. 27, 1901 V1,467,268 Deiss Sept. V4, 1923 1,907,172 Arzet. May 2, 1933 2,012,483 Schlegel Aug. 27, 1935 2,115,802 Dann May 3, 1938 2,252,462 Howard Aug. 12, 1,941 2,430,755 Bergstein Nov. 11, 1947 2,436,061 Waters Feb. r17,l 194s -and each comprising 

